Another Territorian is counting his lucky stars after reeling in a Season 6 red-tagged barramundi this week, earning him a whopping $10,000.
William Talbot, the fifth fisho to hook a prize-tagged fish this season, was wetting a line off the bank at the Finniss River mouth when he bagged the lucrative 70cm catch using live bait late on Monday, 5 October.
“When I first reeled the barra in, I didn’t realise it had a red tag. I took it up to the bank and it wasn’t until my girlfriend started screaming that I looked down and saw the tag,” he said.
“I’ve registered for Million Dollar Fish for the last few years but never thought I would be lucky enough to hook a red tag – I still don’t believe it.”
Tagged last month in Bynoe Harbour for Million Dollar Fish Season 6, the $10,000 barra travelled an incredible 64km to the Finniss River mouth before being caught.
Born and bred in the Top End, Mr Talbot has been living at Dundee Beach for over 20 years and said he couldn’t wait to splash the cash on some home renovations.
“I’m going to put the $10,000 towards building a new workshop and a verandah. My mate’s a builder so I’m going to get him to give me a hand,” he said.
Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford congratulated local fisho William Talbot on reeling in the $10,000 catch.
“We are just over a week into Million Dollar Fish Season 6, and already we have seen five lucky fishos hook prize-tagged barra across the Top End,” he said.
“Season 6 is the biggest and best to date, and at this rate it’s shaping up to be the most memorable with more prize-tagged fish caught than ever before.”
SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said SportsBet couldn’t be happier to be awarding another local fisho a cheque for $10,000.
“The fishos are certainly on top in the competition so far and I have a feeling we might be in for a record-breaking season,” he said.
“The weather conditions are very favourable towards barra fishing at the moment, so I hope the stars align and one lucky fisho can hook onto one of the seven Million Dollar Fish included in Season 6.”